Lý Đạo Thành

Lý Đạo Thành (Chữ Hán: 李道成? – 1081), courtesy name Bá Định (伯定), was a member of the royal family and the chancellor in the royal court of Lý dynasty. Highly appreciated for his ability and righteousness, Lý Đạo Thành had a major role in the stability and prosperity of Annam during the early years of Lý Nhân Tông's reign when Lý Đạo Thành also acted as a regent for the young emperor. Today Lý Đạo Thành is still considered one of the great officials of the Lý dynasty and in the history of Vietnam.

Biography There was only a brief account about Lý Đạo Thành in the Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư, but according to some folk stories, Lý Đạo Thành was born in 1053 to a noble family in Thái Cực, Thọ Xương. Together with the Empress Mother Thượng Dương, the chancellor was appointed by Lý Thánh Tông to act the regency for his successor Lý Nhân Tông, who was only 7 at that time. Lý Đạo Thành was transferred to the position of governor in the southern province Nghệ An likely because he advised against the act of Ỷ Lan and the emperor.

According to the Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư, Lý Đạo Thành deceased in the tenth month in 1081. His position of chancellor was succeeded by Lê Văn Thịnh, who was afterwards deprived of all titles and banished to a remote region after a controversial treason case in 1096.

Legacy Lý Đạo Thành is considered one of the most famous chancellors of the Lý dynasty; Today his contribution is still highly appreciated; Lý Đạo Thành is worshipped as a tutelary deity in several villages in Northern Vietnam,